The Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets are at the moment engaged in a number of the most unorthodox blockbuster commerce negotiations in NBA historical past. Each side have a big-name level guard that no person else appears to need. The Lakers are attempting to commerce Russell Westbrook, who’s owed $47 million and coming off of his worst season as a professional. The Nets need to transfer Kyrie Irving, who simply missed the majority of the 2021-22 season due to his refusal to adjust to New York Metropolis’s vaccine mandate. There’s not one other clearly seen commerce companion for both social gathering, and that has sophisticated negotiations considerably.

In accordance with Marc Stein, the Nets need first-round draft compensation from the Lakers as a way to make the swap, however maybe extra importantly, are targeted on resolving the Kevin Durant state of affairs earlier than they flip their consideration to Irving. Durant can be in search of a commerce, however with 4 years left on his deal, the Nets have the leverage to take their time. As a lot as they may need to transfer on from Irving, doing so earlier than they transfer Durant would make it nearly unattainable for them to contend for a title within the occasion that they wind up retaining the 2014 MVP. 

The Lakers have two tradable first-round picks: one in 2027 and one other in 2029. The Lakers have been resistant to incorporate them in commerce negotiations, however a participant of Irving’s caliber may symbolize an exception. Talking of hesitance, the Nets would favor to not take again Westbrook in a attainable deal due to his exorbitant cap determine. The $11 million wage hole between the 2 level guards would value Brooklyn over $50 million with luxurious taxes factored in earlier than contemplating the monetary implications of a attainable Durant commerce. The San Antonio Spurs, with over $30 million in cap area, have been talked about as a attainable third crew to tackle Westbrook in order that the Nets would not need to.

The Lakers have reportedly mulled offers with the Indiana Pacers (for Buddy Hield) and Houston Rockets (for Eric Gordon) so as to add taking pictures, however each gamers have a lot decrease cap figures than Westbrook. Indiana might bridge that hole by together with middle Myles Turner, whom the Lakers have lengthy coveted, however based on Stein, they probably will not have the belongings to land each Turner and Hield. A number of stories have advised that LeBron James badly desires Irving to affix him in Los Angeles.

However till the Durant state of affairs is resolved, the Nets don’t have any purpose to hurry. If a Durant commerce comes, the Lakers ought to have the ability to make an Irving commerce just because the Nets would not have any purpose to maintain him. For now, although, the ball is in Brooklyn’s court docket.